Statistics & Further Mathematics

Maths 2
SUBJECT - STATISTICS AND FURTHER MATHEMATICS OPTION
Upon completion of this course your son has the opportunity to achieve the equivalent of two GCSE qualifications.
GCSE STATISTICS
Students looking to take this option should have a good interest and keen enthusiasm for Mathematics and be looking to take it beyond GCSE level.

All pupils taking this course will follow the linear course of Statistics at the higher tier of the Edexcel Statistics (1ST0) syllabus which covers grades 9 - 4.

The course complements the Edexcel GCSE in Mathematics and will be run concurrently along with the Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics. The content is based on good practice in Statistics and emphasises the theoretical, practical and applied nature of the subject. It is suitable for cross-curricular studies and activities and provides a background for the study of Statistics beyond GCSE level. The key subject aims and objectives are to enable students to develop statistical fluency and understanding through:
  • the use of statistical techniques in a variety of authentic investigations, using real-world data in contexts such as, but not limited to, population, climate and sales, etc.
  • identifying trends through carrying out appropriate calculations and data visualisation techniques
  • the application of statistical techniques across the curriculum, in subjects such as sciences, social sciences, computing, geography, business and economics, and outside the classroom in the world in general
  • critically evaluating data, calculations and evaluations that would be commonly encountered in their studies and in everyday life
  • understanding how technology has enabled the collection, visualisation and analysis of large quantities of data to inform decision-making processes in public, commercial and academic sectors, including how technology can be used to generate diagrams and visualisations to represent data
  • understand ways that data can be organised, processed and presented, including statistical measures to compare data, understanding the advantages of using technology to automate processing
  • applying appropriate mathematical and statistical formulae, and building on prior knowledge.
This qualification is assessed through two externally-examined written papers worth 50% each which will be taken at the end of Year 11.
LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATE in FURTHER MATHEMATICS
 
This qualification is currently under redevelopment for first examination in June 2020. Consequently, the following information is given as a guide only.

All pupils taking this course will follow the linear course for AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Mathematics which is currently graded from A* with Distinction – C. It will run concurrently alongside the GCSE Statistics course.

The course offers the opportunity to stretch and challenge high achieving students as in introduction to AS level topics that will help them to develop skills in:
  • Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Calculus
  • Matrices
  • Trigonometry
  • Functions
  • Graphs
The focus will be on higher order mathematical skills, particularly in algebraic reasoning, thus extending students’ skills and competencies.
This qualification places an emphasis on higher order technical proficiency, rigorous argument and problem solving skills. It also gives an introduction to calculus and matrices and develops further skills in trigonometry, function and graphs.

This qualification is assessed through two written papers: Paper 1 is non-calculator and worth 40% of the qualification and Paper 2 is calculator and worth 60% of the qualification which will be taken at the end of Year 11.